Socceroos goalkeeper Matt Ryan and returning striker Matthew Leckie have combined to send the Socceroos to the quarter finals of the Asian Cup after beating Uzbekistan 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate.

Serena Williams once again proves her credentials as one of the best on the planet, beating current world number one Simona Halep, while Novak Djokovic overcomes Daniil Medvedev to reach the quarter-finals.

An eye-catching performance for the Cricket Australia XI, scoring 259 unbeaten runs over three days, sees New South Wales batsman Kurtis Patterson added to Australia's Test squad, with a debut against Sri Lanka on the cards.

More South Korean female skaters say they were sexually abused by their coaches following explosive claims by two-time Olympic champion Shim Suk-hee, who says she has been raped by her former coach since she was a teen, a group representing athletes disclosed.

From what we do know, it seems Alen Stajcic is a victim — either innocent or of his own making — of a clash that commonly occurs between the greater expectations placed on athletes when a sport increases levels of professionalism and the need for optimum player welfare in an environment of higher pressure, writes Richard Hinds.

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An eye-catching performance for the Cricket Australia XI, scoring 259 unbeaten runs over three days, sees New South Wales batsman Kurtis Patterson added to Australia's Test squad, with a debut against Sri Lanka on the cards.

Ashleigh Barty's charge into the Australian Open quarter-finals with victory over Maria Sharapova is a remarkable achievement, especially considering there was a time when her professional tennis career appeared finished.

Sri Lanka and the CA XI call it a draw in Hobart — the tourists struggle against the pink ball, while the best batsman of the match, Kurtis Patterson, will not be taking the field for Australia when the Test series starts on Thursday.

The WBBL semi-finals produce matching last-ball drama, with Brisbane Heat beating the Sydney Thunder with a glorious catch and the Sydney Sixers getting a run out before beating the Melbourne Renegades in a super over.

The growing number of girls and young women playing AFL has brought with it a rise in serious injuries on the field. Coaches are working to build strength and educate their players on how to protect themselves during play, and there are calls for more research funding.

A Sydney magistrate tells North Queensland Cowboys forward Scott Bolton his status as a high-profile sportsman is of "no consequence to the court or to me" as he is given a 12-month good behaviour bond after a woman accused him of touching her.

Michael Cheika's future with the Wallabies is uncertain amid speculation he will be sacked before Christmas, but arguably his best player, David Pocock, is throwing his support behind the embattled coach.

Socceroos goalkeeper Matt Ryan and returning striker Matthew Leckie have combined to send the Socceroos to the quarter finals of the Asian Cup after beating Uzbekistan 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate.

From what we do know, it seems Alen Stajcic is a victim — either innocent or of his own making — of a clash that commonly occurs between the greater expectations placed on athletes when a sport increases levels of professionalism and the need for optimum player welfare in an environment of higher pressure, writes Richard Hinds.